Fraser Island used as tourist hook

NEW campaigns from Tourism Australia and Tourism Queensland are using Fraser Island to hook British backpackers and Italian radio listeners to holiday in Australia.

Dutch backpacker Marloes Odenkirchen features in a new video series from Tourism Australia that is currently circulating through their UK facebook page.

Ms Odenkirchen is promoting Fraser Island in one of 30 one-minute videos featured in the campaign to promote the Working Holiday Visa.

The series is timed to coincide with British school tests to target more than 230, 000 school leavers who probably won't get their desired grades.

Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said their objective was to get more young people to holiday in Australia.

“These travellers often become lifelong advocates, influencing friends and family of all ages to holiday in Oz and returning themselves later in life,” he said.

“We also know from research that many of these visitors are backpackers, who spend more time travelling and explore more of Australia than other travellers.”

The series also features croc handlers, shark swimmers, surf photographers, a bungee jumper, street artists and others from across Australia.

In another promotion for the region, Tourism Queensland is currently hosting an Italian radio presenter on a familiarisation tour of Fraser and Lady Elliot Island.

Rai Radio presenter Massimiliano Civili has more than 40,000 listeners.

In the latest Tourism Queensland newsletter Minister for Tourism Jan Jarrat said his visit was expected to gain positive media coverage and create public awareness for the Fraser Coast in locations across Europe. Visit www.tourism.australia.com for more on the 30 days in Australia campaign. The video series can be viewed on their Facebook, Twitter and YouTube feeds.